Gun recoil absorber

ABSTRACT

A mechanism is disclosed for absorbing recoil shocks upon the discharge of any ordnance device having a high muzzle velocity, particularly, of the shoulder-support type. A separate movable member encloses the gunstock end and is coupled to springtensioned axially actuated means. The end member resting against the shoulder of the user remains substantially stationary while the remainder of the mechanism housed within the gunstock moves to absorb all the energy.

United States Patent Spiliotis Aug. 28, 1973 GUN RECOIL ABSORBER3,604,138 9/1971 Wilson 42/74 [76] Inventor: 1:25;: 8 Klrkland PrimaryExaminer-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-CT. Jordan [22] Filed:Apr. 28, 1972 Attorney-Edgar 0. Rest [21] Appl. No.: 248,609

[57] ABSTRACT [52] Cl 42/74 A mechanism is disclosed for absorbingrecoil shocks [51] In. CL. 23/00 p the discharge of y ordnance devicehaving a [58] Field 'f 'g r 42/74 high muzzle velocity, particularly, ofthe shoulderpp yp A separate movable member encloses the 56] ReferencesCited gunstock end and is coupled to spring-tensioned axially actuatedmeans. The end member resting against the UNITED STATES PATENTS shoulderof the user remains substantially stationary 480,587 Jones 6! al. theremainder of the mechanism housed within 2; the gunstock moves to absorball the energy. 3,208Zl79 9/1965 Hrebicek 10 Claims, 5 Drawing FlguresPatented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,344

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,344

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GUN RECOIL ABSORBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The invention relates to ordnance devices andmore particularly, to recoil absorbers for shoulder-supported firearms.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art is replete with variousschemes and structures for recoil absorption. In U. S. Pat. No.3,208,l79 issued Sept. 28, 1965 to J. I-Irebicek, a mechanism is showninvolving ramps and rollers coupled to movable means to provide a ridingsurface for a gunstock upon recoil. Such a mechanism is rather complex,expensive, and subject to frequent failure due to jamming. Wideracceptance has thereby been prevented.

Another example is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,604,138, issued Sept.14, 1971 to Jack W. Wilson, in which a series of levers and springs areactuated sideways upon the incidence of the discharge of the firearm.The manner of absorbing the shock is somewhat awkward due to the changeof direction of the forces which are actually in an axial direction.Further, the adaptation of the recoil absorber mechanism to existingdevices is impossible and can only be incorporated into new units. Stillanother example is shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,001,312, issued Sept. 26,1961 to C. S. Campbell wherein a spring-actuated member is providedtogether with a liquid container. The difficulty with this structureresides in the fact that the method of anchoring the absorbing mechanismresults in a jerking movement of the gunstock away from the shoulder ofthe user. This motion prevents accurate sighting and yields particularlypoor results when telescopic lenses are used.

A need arises, therefore, for a positive acting recoil absorber which isinexpensive, simple to install, easy to operate and capable of absorbinghigh recoil velocities without reducing accuracy and effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention arecoil absorber mechanism is disclosed having spring-tensionedlever-actuated means anchored within a cavity in a gunstock. Themechanism is adapted to reciprocate in an axial direction and isoperatively associated with a hollow movable end member conforming tothe shape and dimensions of an adjacent conventional wooden gunstock.This member may be fabricated of a durable, lightweight material, suchas any of the well known thermoplastic materials and be clear or coloredto match the gunstock coloring.

Compression of the spring-loaded members results in movement of amovable yoke arrangement including pivoted interconnecting lever arms inthe opposite direction as the high velocity forces ejecting theprojectile from the muzzle. Such movement effectively pulls the entiregunstock toward the movable end member which is resting against theusers shoulder. The entire pressure exerted by the recoil is spent inmoving the solid gunstock in this manner and the end resting against theshoulder remains substantially stationary after firing.

Means are provided for adjusting the spring tension, confining themovement of the spring-loaded members and guiding the movement of theyoke arrangement.

Alternative embodiments include dual or single springloaded means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Details of the invention will bereadily understood after consideration of the following description andreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional of an embodiment of the inventionbefore firing of the device;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG.1 after firing;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2a dual spring-loaded recoil absorber mechanism is illustrated. Gunstock10 is provided with a main cavity section 12 of sufficient magnitude topermit free movement of the scissorstype recoil absorber mechanism 14.In addition cylindrical cavity sections 16 and 18 and an axial elongatedpassage 20 are provided in the gunstock 10. A final alteration requiredto the existing gunstock is the drilling of elongated holes 22 and 24 toaccommodate guide rods 26 and 28. The main cavity section 12 isseparated from the remaining cavities 16 and 18, passage 20 and holes 22and 24 by an anchor plate 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3 as well as FIGS. 1 and 2 the arrangement of therecoil absorber mechanism 14 will be described. A centralaxial-reciprocating rod member 32 extends within passage 20 and aperture34 in anchor plate 30. Suitable bushing means 33 are provided for longerwearing and to prevent binding. The outer end of rod 32 threadablyengages hollow movable gun stock end member 38 having a shape to conformthe conventional wooden gunstock 10. Member 38 may be made of alightweight thermoplastic material. Alternatively, it is possible toprovide a plain metallic plate shaped for comfort against the shoulderof the user which would resemble a T-shaped structure.

The recoil absorber mechanism 14 further includes spring-tensionedcoaxial members 40 and 42 housed within cavities l6 and 18. Metalliccylinders 41 and 43 are provided to line the wooden walls of thecavities for improved operation. Each of members 40, 42 comprise centralrods 44, 46 and springs 48, 50. The appropriate adjustment of springtension to absorb the high velocity recoil forces is provided by plates52, 54 and nuts 56, 58 secured to the inner end of rods 44, 46.Oval-shaped apertures 60, 62 in anchor plate 30 provide for introductionof rods 44, 46 and a means for restraining springs 48, 50 uponcompression. The outer end of rods 44, 46 are connected as by peenedpins 64, 66 welded to pivoted lever arms 68 and 70 to form asubstantially scissors-type movable yoke arrangement resembling a caret(A) in the before-firing position and a V after fir- The pivotarrangement to enable free movement of the yoke formed by lever arms 68,70 will now be described by referring to FIG. 4. A slot 72 is machinedin rod member 32. Each of the lever arms 68, 70 are also provided with aslot 74. A pin and rivet arrangement 76 together with washers 78provides for interconnection of the lever arms. Intermediate washer 79may be provided for ease of operation. To guide the movement of thegunstock after firing in a direction towards the end member 38 parallelguide rods 26, 28 are intermediately disposed and attached to lever arms68, 70 by pins 80, 82. The guide rods 26, 28 are disposed within holes22, 24. The anchor plate 30 is secured to the gunstock cavity walls bymeans of four screws 84.

In FIG. 2 the spring-tensioned members 40, 42 are shown as compressedand it will be noted that lever arms 68, 70 of the recoil absorbermechanism 14 have now assumed an inverted or V-shaped configuration. Allthe recoil forces are absorbed by movement of gunstock 10 while the endmember 38 resting against the shoulder of the user remains substantiallystationary. The recoil forces can be adjusted for any rifle or shotgunby adjustment of the spring tension.

In FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment is shown incorporating a singlespring-tensioned axial member 88 provided with cavity 89 having a rodmember 90 and spring 92. Lever arms 94, 96 are provided with slots 98,100 at each end of lever arms 94, 96 along with similar slots 102, 104for joining them to central rod member 90. Parallel rods 106, 108 areprovided within bushings 110, 112 and holes 114, 116. Rods 106, 108 arejoined to lever arms 94, 96 and rods 106, 108 and 90. Guide rods 118,120 are also provided in holes 122, 124. The hollow end member 38 issimilar to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and only dual connection means126, 128 are required. In this embodiment an opposite inversionconfiguration is provided. The tension is adjusted by nut 130 againstplate 132.

There is thus disclosed a novel recoil absorber for all ordnancedevices. Many variations and alterations will be evident to thoseskilled in the art. It is intended therefore that the foregoingdescribed embodiments be considered in their broadest aspects and not ina limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A recoil absorber mechanism fora gunstock comprising:

spring-loaded axially actuated means; housed within the gunstock;

means for limiting movement of said spring-loaded means;

means for actuating said spring-loaded means including a reciprocatingmember;

a movable yoke mechanism including interconnected arm membersoperatively associated with said reciprocating member and saidspring-loaded means;

means for supporting the gunstock and recoil ab-' sorber means againstthe shoulder of a user affixed to the outer end of said reciprocatingmeans; and

means for guiding movement of said arm members.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said shoulder supportingmeans comprise a hollow movable end member conforming to the shape ofthe associated gunstock.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said hollow movable endmember is formed ofa lightweight thermoplastic material.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1 and means for adjusting thetension of said spring-loaded means.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating memberis provided with a central slot to freely accomodate the ends of saidarm members.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said arm members ends areslotted and a pin member interconnects all the members in ascissors-type arrangement.

7. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said limiting movementmeans comprise an anchor plate secured to the gunstock with restrictedapertures for said spring-loaded means and clearance apertures for saidreciprocating member.

8. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said guiding meanscomprise rod members disposed within elongated holes disposed in saidgunstock.

9. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising:

plural paraliel disposed spring-loaded axially actuated members;

an anchor plate for limiting movement of said springloaded memberssecured to said gunstock;

a central reciprocating rod member;

a movable yoke mechanism including pivotally interconnected arm membersoperatively associated with said reciprocating member and each of saidspring-loaded members;

a movable end member affixed to said central reciprocating rod member;and

guide rod means secured intermediately to the ends of said arm members.

10. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising:

a centrally disposed spring-loaded axially-actuated member;

an anchor plate for limiting movement of said springloaded membersecured to said gunstock;

reciprocating rod members disposed parallel to said spring-loadedmember;

a movable yoke mechanism including interconnected arm membersoperatively associated with each of said reciprocating members and saidspring-loaded member;

a movable end member affixed to said reciprocating members; and

guide rod means secured interrnediately to the ends of said arm members.

=8 i i i

1. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising: spring-loadedaxially actuated means; housed within the gunstock; means for limitingmovement of said spring-loaded means; means for actuating saidspring-loaded means including a reciprocating member; a movable yokemechanism including interconnected arm members operatively associatedwith said reciprocating member and said spring-loaded means; means forsupporting the gunstock and recoil absorber means against the shoulderof a user affixed to the outer end of said reciprocating means; andmeans for guiding movement of said arm members.
 2. The mechanismaccording to claim 1 wherein said shoulder supporting means comprise ahollow movable end member conforming to the shape of the associatedgunstock.
 3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said hollowmovable end member is formed of a lightweight thermoplastic material. 4.The mechanism according to claim 1 and means for adjusting the tensionof said spring-loaded means.
 5. The mechanism according to claim 1wherein said reciprocating member is provided with a central slot tofreely accomodate the ends of said arm members.
 6. The mechanismaccording to claim 5 wherein said arm members ends are slotted and a pinmember interconnects all the members in a scissors-type arrangement. 7.The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said limiting movement meanscomprise an anchor plate secured to the gunstock with restrictedapertures for said spring-loaded means and clearance apertures for saidreciprocating member.
 8. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein saidguiding means comprise rod members disposed within elongated holesdisposed in said gunstock.
 9. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstockcomprising: plural parallel disposed spring-loaded axially actuatedmembers; an anchor plate for limiting movement of said spring-loadedmembers secured to said gunstock; a central reciprocating rod member; amovable yoke mechanism including pivotally interconnected arm membersoperatively associated with said reciprocating member and each of saidspring-loaded members; a movable end member affixed to said centralreciprocating rod member; and guide rod means secured intermediately tothe ends of said arm members.
 10. A recoil absorber mechanism for agunstock comprising: a centrally disposed spring-loaded axially-actuatedmember; an anchor plate for limiting movement of said spring-loadedmember secured to said gunStock; reciprocating rod members disposedparallel to said spring-loaded member; a movable yoke mechanismincluding interconnected arm members operatively associated with each ofsaid reciprocating members and said spring-loaded member; a movable endmember affixed to said reciprocating members; and guide rod meanssecured intermediately to the ends of said arm members.